"You don't know what you've got 'til its gone."

The Lyrics from the Joni Mitchell song Big Yellow Taxi seemed quite apt last night.

My wife got home after a perilous ten mile journey. The roads had completely frozen and she'd had to drive on sheet ice all the way. She'd seen at least one driver lose control of their car and end up in a ditch.

The reason the roads were frozen was because no rock-salt (grit) had been spread. Probably because there is none available due to poor planning and budget allocation by our local council. I could go into a mini-rant about that, instead I take a lesson from this situation about hidden impact.

First of all - right now - I'm grateful for the front line drivers and loaders who normally spread grit in the late night and early hours. The fact is they do a great job. And, for most of us, most of the time, that job is hidden from our conscious attention.

It's just something we expect to be done. We jump into our car and find that roads are gritted and safe for us to drive on. It's only when the benefit is suddenly missing that we realise it was there in the first place.

And, that's the point. We all have a 'hidden impact'. One that people benefit from, but probably take for granted.

What are the benefits you deliver that are being taken for granted by our boss, our associates and our customers.

Make a list of 3 areas where you add value that are being taken for granted. Here are some examples:

1. I listen to people and take time to hear their opinions without judgement. This gives them the opportunity to sort out their own thoughts with support and without outside interference.
2. I spot opportunities for innovation in everyday processes. Without making a big 'song and dance' about it I suggest changes that improve efficiency in the workplace.
3. I encourage my sales team to look at things from the customer's perspective. This means when we make a pitch it usually hits the mark and is both technically and emotionally engaging.

Once you have your list you'll need to work out how to raise people's awareness and gratitude of these - powerfully and elegantly.